Davao governor elected league head

Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario was elected yesterday president of the influential League of Provinces of the Philippines during its first general assembly at the Westin Philippine Plaza Hotel.

Del Rosario thanked his fellow governors for their confidence in his leadership. He said that his election showed their sympathy for the greater voice of Mindanao in policy-making and the region’s need for faster economic growth.

At the same time, he said that he would push for the enhancement of the internal revenue allotment of provinces and for greater access to development funds from international agencies and foreign governments.

Del Rosario was actively supported by the Lakas party and Mindanao and Visayan governors. Political Affairs Secretary Joey Rufino was seen in the gathering talking with governors to support Del Rosario.

Gov. Neil Tupaz of Iloilo and Gov. Sally Perez of Antique said that while Del Rosario already has leadership capabilities, the push by Malacañang was a big boost.

For a while, Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III tried to run against Del Rosario but the two groups later agreed to Del Rosario’s leadership, with Joson as executive vice president.

The other new officers of the league are Luis Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), chairman; Pablo Garcia (Cebu), chairman of the board of advisers, Josie dela Cruz (Bulacan), secretary general; Hermilando Mandanas (Batangas) and Faustino Dy Jr. (Isabela), vice presidents for Luzon;

Rosette Lerias (Southern Leyte), vice president for Visayas; Isagani Amatong (Zambonaga del Norte), vice president for Mindanao; Rebecca Ynares (Rizal), auditor; and Angelica Rosdel Amante (Agusan del Norte), public relations officer.